Pier types and uses

Caisson piers- concrete caissons are improvements of foundation piles. Original piles were first constructed of wood trees dug and placed into the ground and were used over 5000 years ago to support structures and to keep them above water lines. Modern building materials now replace wood. They are primarily used for new construction.

Foundation piles- concrete-filled steel pipes and H-piled driven in all types of soil to depth up to 150 feet, to provide foundation strength for building and infrastructure projects.

Push or hydraulically driven piers- push piers or piles were first designed in 1936 by E.C. Alexander. They were designed to support existing foundations. Push piers are also called hydraulically driven, micro piers or soil nails. all four names or interchangeable. Push piers can be either concrete or steel. A common concrete pier has a diameter of five to six inches. a common steel pier is two or three inches in diameter.

Compaction Grouting- compaction grouting is a form of mud-jacking that was first developed by J.W. Poulter in 1933. A slurry solution of filling materials is forced underneath the existing foundation wall, footing or slab.

Cathodic protection- a method to prevent corrosion using the following steps: 1. The assembly is screwed into the ground to desired depth. 2. the outer shaft is disconnected and backed out, leaving the inner shaft and anode in place. 3. the inner shaft is hooked onto at the surface, disconnected at the base and backed out, leaving the anode and wire. 4. the wire lead to the electrode is left sticking out of the ground ready to connect to the rectifier load.

Underpinning- this very unique system will help to restore and support failed foundations. After exposing the failed foundation footings, small piles are installed beneath the structure. The foundation is then raised into position and secured to the piles using a system of brackets. The bracket system is the secured to the building and the foundation is covered. This method prevents regression and is more cost effective than concrete injection.

Slope stabilization- anchors can be used in a variety of situations including slope restoration and stabilization. Once the fault line has been found, anchors can then be screwed in almost horizontally into more stable soil. Once the anchors are installed, an appropriate retaining wall is attached, this helps maintain the slop integrity.

Active soil- active soil is the soil that is directly pushing against your foundation. The higher your foundation wall the more force is pushing against it.

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